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Shutterstock

Unclaimed

Stock images, photos, and videos

Stock AssetsAI Image GenerationGraphic DesignImage Editing
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Reviews onG2
1196 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Paid plans only

Biggest pro

Massive library

Biggest con

Expensive for heavy use

TL;DR - Shutterstock

  • Stock photo marketplace
  • Photos, videos, and music
  • Subscription or pay-per-download
Pricing: Paid only
Best for: Enterprises & pros
4.4/5 across review platforms

What is Shutterstock?

Editorial review
Shutterstock is one of the world's largest libraries of stock images, videos, and music. Access over 400 million royalty-free assets for commercial use. Find high-quality photos, illustrations, vectors, and 4K video clips. Advanced AI search helps you find exactly what you need. Shutterstock offers flexible plans from on-demand credits to enterprise subscriptions. Includes AI image generation and editing tools.
how we evaluateSourceshutterstock.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Massive library
  • High quality content
  • Editorial content
  • Flexible licensing

Cons

  • Expensive for heavy use
  • Common images overused
  • Complex pricing

Ratings Across the Web

4.4(1,196 reviews)
G21,196 reviews
4.4/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Stock photographyVideo clipsMusic libraryAI image generationEditorial contentEnterprise licensing

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Jun 12, 2026

On-demand

$49

  • 5 images
  • Never expires
  • Standard license

Subscription

$29/month

  • 10 images/month
  • Standard license
  • Rollover unused
Calculate your costView full pricing

How Shutterstock's pricing compares

At $29/mo, Shutterstock is mid-range of its 5 direct competitors ($9 to $29/mo across the set).

Clipdrop
$9
Canva
$10
Crello
$10
PhotoRoom
$12.99
Shutterstock
$29
Designs.ai
$29

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jun 12, 2026.

Reviews

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4.4/5

Across 1,196 verified user reviews on G2

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Best Shutterstock Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Canva logo
CanvaFreemium

Design anything, for anyone, with millions of templates

4.7
Crello logo
CrelloFreemium

Create stunning social media posts, ads, and marketing materials

4.6
Designs.ai logo
Designs.aiFreemium

AI-powered creative suite for branding and marketing

4.3
PhotoRoom logo
PhotoRoomFreemium

AI photo editing for product images

4.6
Clipdrop logo
ClipdropPaid

AI-powered image editing and generation tools

See all stock assets tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Shutterstock vs CanvaHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsShutterstock vs CrelloHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsShutterstock vs Designs.aiHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

Explore More

Best Stock Assets ToolsBest AI Image Generation ToolsBest Graphic Design ToolsBest Image Editing Tools

Shutterstock FAQ

How does Shutterstock support graphic design workflows?

Shutterstock provides access to over 400 million royalty-free assets including high-quality photos, illustrations, and vectors, which are essential for graphic design projects. It also offers AI image generation and editing tools to further enhance creative work.

How does Shutterstock compare to Canva for accessing stock assets?

Shutterstock offers a massive library of over 400 million royalty-free stock images, videos, and music, emphasizing high-quality content and flexible licensing. While Canva also provides design tools, Shutterstock's primary focus is on its extensive and diverse collection of stock assets.

What are the main trade-offs when choosing Shutterstock?

A primary trade-off for Shutterstock users is that it can be expensive for heavy use, and its pricing structure is noted as complex. Additionally, some common images within its vast library may be perceived as overused due to their widespread availability.

Which teams would benefit most from using Shutterstock?

Teams involved in graphic design, marketing, and content creation would benefit from Shutterstock's extensive library of stock images, videos, and music. Its high-quality content and flexible licensing options support diverse commercial use cases.

How is Shutterstock priced?

Shutterstock is a paid product and does not include a permanently free tier. It offers flexible pricing plans ranging from on-demand credits for individual asset purchases to comprehensive enterprise subscriptions for larger organizations.

Can Shutterstock generate new images using AI?

Yes, Shutterstock includes AI image generation capabilities as part of its features. This allows users to create new visual content in addition to accessing its existing library of stock assets.

Does Shutterstock offer editorial content?

Yes, Shutterstock provides editorial content in addition to its commercial stock assets. This expands its utility for users who require images for news, documentary, or other non-commercial editorial purposes.

Source: shutterstock.com

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